Power play fires Hoosiers to victories

The IU ice hockey team played host to a two-game inter-conference series last weekend at Frank Southern Ice Arena, welcoming Ferris State University to town. A notoriously dirty and physical team, the Bulldogs came into the Frank looking to impose their will on the Hoosiers with their size advantage. \nAfter thrashing Illinois by a total of 14-2 in Bloomington last weekend, the top priority around the IU locker room was maintaining the team's perfect record at home. However, the IU team was notably prepared for the imminent rumble with the Bulldogs, spending extra time during the week's practices working through its power-play, which was not present in the dismantling of Illinois. \nKnowing penalties would abound this weekend, giving the Hoosiers plenty of odd man advantages, it was critical for the power-play unit, led by juniors Bill Ravensberg and Reed Schafer, to fire on all cylinders. \nIn Friday's game, Ferris State jumped to an early lead, but six seconds later, the improved power play brought IU back level by way of a Ravensberg goal. According to the team captain's tally, IU controlled the game's tempo, adding three more goals in the first period. Ferris State scored twice in the second period, but IU found the back of the net on two more occasions for the 6-3 victory.\nTwo fights marred the victory, however, and helped bring emotions to a boiling point for Saturday's rematch. \n"We had a pretty good scrap with them in the first game, and they came out, and that's their style of play,"said junior Jon Laughner.\nSaturday's rematch allowed the Hoosiers to use their speed and depth to control the pace, owning possession of the puck for the duration. Junior Tyler Crowley opened the scoring, and Laughner netted a short-handed goal at the end of the first period, giving the Hoosiers a 4-0 lead heading into the locker room. \nThe power play opened up the second period with goals from Schafer and senior David Ravensberg, providing the home side with more than a comfortable lead. Once again tempers flared, and a bit of complacency on the part of the home side gave Ferris State two power play goals of their own, followed by a third goal just before the second intermission. But, it would prove too little too late for the visitors, who resorted back to their reputation as an overly physical team in the game's final frame. \nFreshman Dan Karlander and Schafer each scored, putting the game out of reach for Ferris State, but not before Bulldogs head coach Doug Chase hurled some choice expletives at game referees, as well as a few water bottles. \n"(The physical play) was no surprise to our team," Schafer said. "The last couple of years have been the same way. They have a few guys that love to get in our heads, but most of the time they end up looking like fools." \nThe weekend's sweep and the player's reactions displayed the Hoosiers' versatility in adapting to a different style of play after the 8-4 IU win \n"I was very happy with the way our guys responded to (Ferris State's) style of play, and particularly how effective our power play was," said IU coach Rich Holdeman. "We don't like to see a game bogged down with penalties because it doesn't play to our strengths." \nBut with eight power play goals in two games, the Hoosiers have shown a propensity to adjust to their opponents' play -- the dirtier the better. \n-- Contact staff writer David Resnik at dfaraday@indiana.edu.